Week of: Monday Nov. 25, 2019

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Common antibiotic could lead to fatal heart issues Antibiotics are a popular class of drugs that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate are frequently over-prescribed. In fact, the CDC has previously suggested that as many as 1 in 3 antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary! Used to kill infections, antibiotics can also wreak havoc on your gut health and immune system. And along with the physicians incorrectly prescribing them and individuals incorrectly taking them, antibiotics are giving rise to the dangerous public health crisis of antibiotic resistance, aka “superbugs.”  To make matters worse, data indicates that a certain type of antibiotic sold as, Zithromax poses serious heart risks to consumers. So, to help yourself stay healthy throughout the year and help you avoid both bacterial infections and antibiotics …Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C and vitamin D through foods like leafy greens, citrus fruits, fatty fish and eggs (you can also back up your health with high quality supplements). Cut out heavily processed foods: Especially simple sugars, these foods are main drivers behind the rise of chronic disease and can make you sick, fat, and more prone to infections. Commit to good quality sleep! Not getting enough sleep damages your immune system. It also promotes weight gain and higher levels of stress.

WELLNESS: Flu Vaccine? Everyone knows about the flu and the flu vaccine. What people do not know is that flu vaccines are nearly useless in preventing flu, they will cause the flu, and they often result in nervous system damage that can take years for the body to repair. Other nations chuckle at Americans’ infatuation with the flu vaccine. The joke would indeed be funny if it weren’t for the damaging effects caused by the vaccine.  The history of the flu vaccine reads like one stumbling fiasco after another. Take an example. Ever wonder how the particular viruses are chosen for next year’s vaccine? The answer could be drawn from a 1930s film noir of Shanghai villainy. Scientists kill migrating ducks in Asia, culture the viruses and put those in next year’s vaccine, because they have seen an association between bird and pig viruses and the following year’s human flu epidemics. Perhaps this desperate guesswork is responsible for so many years when the flu vaccine’s viruses had nothing in common with circulating viruses. According to a CDC report of the 1994-1995 flu season, 87 percent of type A influenza virus samples were not similar to the year’s vaccine, and 76 percent of type B virus were not similar to the virus in that year’s vaccine. During the 1992-1993 season, 84 percent of samples for the predominant type A virus were not similar to the virus in the vaccine. Study after Study Shows the flu shot is ineffective. A study published in the October 2008 issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine found that vaccinating young children against the flu had no impact on flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits during two recent flu seasons. The researchers concluded that “significant influenza vaccine effectiveness could not be demonstrated for any season, age, or setting” examined. A 2008 study published in The Lancet found that influenza vaccination was NOT associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia in older people. This also supports an earlier study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine also confirms that there has been no decrease in deaths from influenza and pneumonia in the elderly, despite the fact that vaccination coverage among the elderly has increased from 15 percent in 1980 to 65 percent now. In 2007, researchers with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Institutes of Health published this conclusion in the Lancet Infectious Diseases: A large-scale, systematic review of 51 studies, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2006, found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo in children under 2. The studies involved 260,000 children, age 6 to 23 months.

CHIROPRACTIC: Staying well in the wintertime. Patients who get regular chiropractic care have an immune system 200% more effective than the average person on the street. Regular adjustments keep the communication channels open to your immune system allowing it to react quickly to challenges. Keeping your mucous membranes healthy works as a barrier to cold and flu viruses, maintaining proper hydration and keep the humidity in your house about 40% (40-60% is normal) helps maintain that all in important barrier. As the air dries out during the wintertime and the amount of sunlight decreases your body’s demand for A&D increase. We can check you for the proper dose of A&D as well as vitamin C. Going through a detox could also be important for immunity sake if your diet has been less than ideal and your fluid intake has been low as these will allow for the accumulation of toxins. Proper sleep is important for your immune system and during sleep this gives your brain an opportunity to detox and a healthy brain and spinal cord is important in the communication channels of the body to maintain a strong immune system this is why regular chiropractic adjustments are helpful. If you or a family member start to develop symptoms it is important to come in right away so we can determine what your body is needing to overcome the cold or flu. The earlier you get started in treatment the faster the resolution of the virus. But remember the five laws of health-diet, exercise, rest and relaxation, a positive mental and spiritual attitude and a healthy nervous system free of subluxations.

FUNNY BONE:  Letters to Santa: “Dear Santa, I have been trying to be a responsible person. I hope I would get what I always wanted. The thing I want most is a dog. dog. dog. I know I haven’t been taking care of my Giga dog but it is not real and a dog would be. Santa, I would even trade my one and only Mom for a dog. I knew that a dog would be a big responsibility but I have been bugging my Dad since I was three and I’m tired of it! Love, Megan.”@@ “Dear Santa, I am not eating my boogers anymore. So now you can bring me some toys please. I want a cat toy that plays with you. Thank you, your friend, Rayne.”@@ “Dear Santa Claus, Did you live when the dinosaurs lived? I want a giga dog. I want a barbie house and a puppy. Love, Jessica.”@@ “Dear Santa and helpers, I have been very good this year. I am expecting a little sister. I don’t want her. Momy says her will be fun. I heard girls stink. I will trade you my sister when she comes from the stork for a elf. I want a race car and a Garage set for Christmas. There will be sugar cookies and burritos waiting for you. Thank you, Santa. Craig.”

Week of: Monday Nov. 18, 2019

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: The Role of Fungus in Cancer Research shows fungi can migrate from your gut to your pancreas, where it can contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer. In mouse and human models, pancreatic tumors contain 3,000 times more fungi than normal pancreatic tissue. Pancreatic tumors had far greater amounts of a common fungal genus called Malassezia. Using an antifungal drug was found to be protective, slowing down the progression of the tumor. The fungi trapped in the pancreas appears to drive tumor growth by activating MBL (mannose-binding lectin), a liver protein that triggers an immune mechanism involved in fighting infections. Solid tumors excrete acid and the spread of cancer cells is stimulated by acidic conditions in the surrounding tissues. Acid is a byproduct of glucose metabolism, which ties in with research showing cancer feeds on and is accelerated by a diet high in sugar. Previous research suggests baking soda can be helpful for inhibiting cancer metastasis. It also appears to improve the effectiveness of other cancer treatments. NOTE: Ask about our pH food list.

WELLNESS: Natural home remedies for asthma Worldwide, well over 200 million people are suffering with asthma and, to make matters even worse, this condition is largely “under-diagnosed and under-treated,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In terms of the United States population, “more than 60% of adults with current asthma had uncontrolled asthma,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Asthma attacks can range from troublesome to fatal.   And, while the reason behind the constriction of bronchial tubes may be open for debate, known triggers for asthmatic attacks include not only exercise, but also respiratory infections and emotional stress. Nutritional therapies that work. Of course, as stated early, you can try to eliminate gluten from the diet – which includes all wheat, barley and/or rye products.  In addition, according to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, asthma symptoms can be improved with consumption of pycnogenol and magnesium.And, finally, while noting that additional studies would be useful, the clinic states that blends of different types of herbs – like garlic and turmeric – can be useful as a non-toxic alternative to prescription drugs to eliminate asthma symptoms. In one study of 80 asthma sufferers over the course of four months, butterbur root extract was found to reduce the severity, duration and even frequency of asthma attacks.  Over 40 percent of the study’s subjects were able to decrease their use of conventional asthma medication. In addition, at the first sign of an asthma attack, it has been found that a tincture of three parts lobelia to one part cayenne pepper mixed in water can stop an attack before it becomes full-blown. 2. Be sure to consume high quality, omega-3 fatty acids. 3. Learn about breathing and relaxation techniques. 

CHIROPRACTIC: Low Back Pain: An Ice Pack or the Hot Tub? Many patients perform some self-care when they first hurt their lower back, hoping this will keep them out of a doctor’s office. While home remedies can sometimes make the pain go away, sometimes they don’t. It just depends on what you try. When the back is first hurt, it’s often a sprain/strain type of injury with accompanying muscle spasm. When a nerve in the low back becomes pinched or irritated, the body will protect the delicate nerves by keeping you from moving and risking further nerve injury. The easiest way for the body to do this is to cause the back muscles to spasm in the injured area. Muscle pain can be quite severe and heat can sometimes soothe the pain. For this reason, many patients take to the heating pad or to the hot tub to try and get some relief. This should be avoided in an acute injury because inflammation is present. With inflammation, there is increased heat and the additional heat you provide is like adding gasoline to a fire. The results are usually not good. A better choice with an acute injury is to ice the area, but this also needs to be done with some caution. The simplest ice pack is ice cubes placed in a plastic bag. While effective, you can cause a frostbite injury if you leave the pack on for too long. When you first ice the area, you will go through several phases before some pain relief is achieved. At first, the pack will feel cold. The next phase is a burning sensation and the ice will almost feel hot. This is followed by an aching or throbbing sensation. Just before the area is numbed, a very sharp pain will be experienced followed by the relief you desire. It can take between five to ten minutes to go through all of the phases.  Once numbness is achieved, the pack should be removed. You should most definitely not fall asleep while the pack is on. If this simple procedure does not solve the problem, it’s best to get your spine checked by a doctor of chiropractic.

FUNNY BONE: “I am traveling around Ireland. Decided to take a funny photo with a sheep wearing my glasses. So if you meet a sheep in Ray-Ban shades…”@@ “Today, a Russian man asked me if I came from Russia. Being surprised, I answered that I didn’t. Then he explained that my tattoos translated to belonging to the mafia. Hmm!”@@ “I fell asleep on a train and slept for only several minutes. When I woke up, everyone in the wagon was looking at me with strange smiles. I still don’t know what I did.”@@ “My daughter-in-law taught my grandson to cry and shout, ‘Am I not good enough for you?’ And he does it every time I ask her whether she would like to have one more child.”@@ “Today I got a strong urge to buy my wife flowers. She accepted them with tears in her eyes saying, ’Darling, you didn’t forget.’ The most interesting thing is that I still don’t understand what she was talking about. Well, at least I dodged a bullet!”@@ Sister Marry was truly a religious woman. Besides for her duties as a nun, she was also very active in various hospitals visiting sick patients and taking care of all their needs. So it was no surprise that one day when she ran out of gas, the only container she could find to put the gas into was a bedpan. Sister Mary happily walked two blocks to the closest gas station filled up the bedpan with gas and headed back to her car. Luck would have it that as Sister Mary started tipping the gas into the fuel tank, the traffic light turned red and she had quite a large audience witnessing the spectacle. Just when she finished pouring in the last drops of gas a fellow opened up his window and hollered, “I swear! If that car starts I’m becoming a religious man!”

Visit our web sites:  keefeclinic.com & facebook.com/keefeclinic

Week of: Monday Nov. 11, 2019

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: The Study:  Observational retrospective study of the association of initial healthcare provider for new-onset low back pain with early and long-term opioid use–a. The authors wanted to find out if the type of provider that patients suffering from new-onset low back pain saw initially affected early and long term opioid usage. b. Several previous studies have suggested that seeing a conservative therapist “(defined as chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists)” may decrease the likelihood of opioid use in low back pain patients as compared to seeing a primary care physician.   c. The authors noted that the primary independent variable that they used for this study was the “type of initial healthcare provider including physicians and conservative therapists (physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists)” seeing the patient. e. “ Initial treatment from conservative therapists in those with LBP was associated with a marked decrease in the odds of early and long-term opioid use.”   f. The authors felt there were a number of factors that might account for the decrease in opioid usage in those seeking conservative therapies.  g. They noted that it could be because non-MDs  do not prescribe opioids, or that the patients who sought care from non-MD may have “educational level or preferences which may also result in decreased desire for those patients to use opioids” or that the conservative care may result in improvement in pain and back function so the conservative care patients did not have a desire to use opioids.  h. “the most frequent initial conservative provider seen was a chiropractor”   Take Home: In patients who suffered from new-onset low back pain, opioid usage was lower in patients who initially sought care from chiropractors or physical therapists as opposed to primary care physicians.

WELLNESS: Humidity And Your Health In the wintertime humidity is a big issue.  As the weather turns colder and the heaters start working 24/7 then the indoor air will start drying out. Studies have shown that dry air has four main effects on the human body: 1. Breathing dry air is a potential health hazard that can cause such respiratory ailments as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and nosebleeds or general dehydration since body fluids are depleted during respiration.  2. Skin moisture evaporation can cause skin irritations and eye itching. 3. Irritative effects, such as static electricity which causes mild shocks when metal is touched, are common when the air moisture is low. 4. The “apparent temperature” of the air is lower than what the thermometer indicates, and the body “feels” colder. As your body fights the dry air you start to use up your vitamin A stores.  This enhances the dry skin and sinus problems as well as weakens your immune system.  It is important that you have a humidity gauge in each bedroom and a cool-mist humidifier to combat the dry air.  I recommend the ultrasonic humidifiers as they put the most water in the air. Summary of some of the effects of dry air: Dry skin,  Chapped lips,   Clogged sinuses,   Itchy skin,  Dry throat coughs,  Cracked nasal membranes,   Increased risk of bacterial infection,   Aggravated asthma & allergy symptoms. Studies have shown that the body’s immune system will function better when the relative humidity in a home is between 45%-65%.  pneumococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus bacteria die up to 20 times faster at a relative humidity between 45% and 55%, than above 70% or below 20%. Dehydration can also cause negative health effects. Symptoms of dehydration include dry skin, chronic joint and muscle pain, raspy throat, sinus, and nasal pain, sore eyes, a lack of mental concentration, and a decrease in the body’s immune system.

CONDITION OF THE WEEK: EATING FOODS FOR WINTER–While nothing can completely stop a cold in its tracks, a healthy immune system can help ward off the germs that cause colds and the flu. A healthy immune system can even minimize a cold’s duration. One way to boost the immune system is to maintain a vitamin C regimen. “Studies have shown that 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C supplements may make colds milder and even shorten them by half a day,” says Tsang. Also, advise clients to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables rich in powerful nutrients. “Foods rich in the antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene, such as citrus fruit, cabbage, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potato, and spinach, have immune-boosting power,” says Amy Cartwright, MS, RD, LDN, who is in private practice in Conyngham, Pa. “To fight off infections, you should increase your intake of zinc, which is found in fish, oysters, poultry, eggs, milk, unprocessed grains, and cereals.” In addition, diets should include a healthy level of good bacteria. “Including adequate amounts of probiotics or friendly flora is valuable in restoring levels of these healthy bacteria in our body to protect us from other infection,” notes Robinett. “Typically, fermented dairy products such as kefir and yogurt—and sauerkraut—provide live cultures but also contain calories, sugar, or salt. I generally recommend taking a probiotic as a dietary supplement, especially during the winter months and always after antibiotic use.”

FUNNY BONE: After I paid for my items in an adorable Italian shop, the salesperson smiled and said “Grazie,” Italian for “thank you.” My Italian isn’t very good, but I knew that the Italian word for “you’re welcome” was the same as the name of a spaghetti sauce. So I confidently replied “Ragú!” and walked out of the store. A few blocks later, it hit me: I had the wrong spaghetti sauce. “You’re welcome” is prego.@@ Two regulars are sitting at a bar when one of them casually points to a couple of drunks across from them. “That’s us in ten years,” he says. His friend takes a sip from his beer, sets it down on the bar, turns to his friend, and slurs, “That’s a mirror.”@@ Sleep is a weak substitute for coffee.@@ After a long time, I told my hot coworker how I felt. Turns out she felt the same way. So I turned on the air conditioning.@@ My paramedic team was called to an emergency. Before we took the patient to the hospital, I had a question for his wife. “Does your husband have any cardiac problems?” I asked. “Yes,” she said with a note of concern. “His cardiologist just died.”@@ A doctor told his patient, “There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is, you have partial short-term memory loss.” The patient said, “Oh no, Doctor. What’s the bad news?”@@ The graveside service had just ended when there was a frightening clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning accompanied by even louder thunder. The little old man looked at the pastor and said calmly, “Well, she’s there.”

Visit our web sites:  keefeclinic.com & facebook.com/keefeclinic                                

Week of: Monday Nov. 4, 2019

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Experts Warn Statin Drug Trend Puts Lives at Risk The number of people suffering from heart disease and stroke continues to rise, despite pharmaceutical interventions, including statin medications recommended for high cholesterol levels. Statins focus on reducing cholesterol your body produces naturally; the process also depletes your body of CoQ10, potentially the trigger behind many of the significant side effects associated with the drug, including neuromuscular disease and cardiovascular death. Non-drug strategies can help you manage your heart health and include quality sleep, stress reduction, adequate amounts of vitamin D, and consuming a good portion of your food raw. NOTE: statins don’t save lives they just make pharmaceutical companies rich. Statins do lower cholesterol by making your liver a little sick. But the problem is that the cholesterol theory of heart disease was based on fraudulent research. There has not been a successful cholesterol study in the past 50 years. The longest running cholesterol study has determined that people with the highest cholesterol outlived people with the lowest. Cholesterol is important in the manufacture of hormones, enzymes and antibiotics. It’s the last component that helps people live longer by the ability to fight infections. If you use a drug to lower your cholesterol you in fact shorten your lifespan. Heart disease is caused by inflammation ask us for an anti-inflammatory food list and try to eat either salmon or tuna three times a week.

WELLNESS:  Over 267 Toxins Found in Public Tap Water   The Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed tests from nearly 50,000 U.S. water utilities in 50 states and tested for 500 different contaminants; 267 were detected. Nearly 19,000 public water systems detected lead at levels above 3.8 parts per billion, which would put a formula-fed baby at risk. The immediate solution to protect your drinking water is to install a water filter on your tap, but on a broader scale the solution is to stop the source of the pollution, such as industrialized agriculture. EWG’s Tap Water Database, which allows you to enter your ZIP code to reveal what’s really in your tap water, is featured.

 https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/#.WYDeVIqQwUG  

For 74145: Contaminants Detected 7 EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES 18 Total Contaminants. NOTE: EPA guidelines recommend boiling your tap water before drinking for every major city in the US. Not only is the chlorine and fluorine in tap water harmful to the body no major city can get the amount of drugs that are in the water supply out. For those who don’t realize that we recycle our water so what is flush down the stool eventually gets purified and recycled. They just can’t take out all the drugs both legal and illegal that people consume. That’s why filtered water is so important or to have some other type of filtration system. There are a number of excellent filtration pitchers that you can get online that can remove most all the toxins from the water. Your water needs are based on your body weight. Take half of your body weight which equals a cleansing dose of water and then 80% of that equals the minimum water per day. For 100 pound person that would be between 40 and 50 ounces per day. Just do the math.

CHIROPRACTIC: Is Chiropractic Care a Potential Solution for Stress? Chiropractic care deals with your spine, which is the root of the nervous system. One of the many effects of stress is the tension and contraction it can cause on muscles. This further leads to an uneven pressure on the skeleton. With the whole skeletal system stressed out, it’s no surprise that the body and mind feel the effects too. There are ways in which chiropractic care eliminates this stress and ultimately relieves the body of the negative effects. Reduces Muscle Tension The strain caused on the muscles due to stress eventually takes its toll on the skeletal system. It can affect your daily life, as you start to encounter problems when sitting or walking. Keep ignoring the strain for some time and you’ll end up losing sleep and experiencing pain all over the body. And that’s where chiropractic care comes in. By aligning and adjusting the body, the tension in muscles is released. By removing stress on the nervous system there is a corresponding relaxation of the muscular system as well. Removing nerve pressure causes a cascade of chemical reactions within the nervous system that produce a sense of well-being. Stay regular with your chiropractic care.

FUNNY BONE:  One night four college students were out partying late night and didn’t study for the test which was scheduled for the next day. In the morning, they thought of a plan. They made themselves look dirty with grease and dirt. Then they went to the Dean and said they had gone out to a wedding last night and on their way back the tire of their car burst and they had to push the car all the way back. So they were in no condition to take the test. The Dean thought for a minute and said they can have the re-test after 3 days. They thanked him and said they will be ready by that time. On the third day, they appeared before the Dean. The Dean said that as this was a Special Condition Test, all four were required to sit in separate classrooms for the test. They all agreed as they had prepared well in the last 3 days. The Test consisted of only 2 questions with the total of 100 Points. 1) Your Name __________ (1 Points) 2) Which tire burst? __________ (99 Points) Options – (a) Front Left (b) Front Right (c) Back Left (d) Back Right Moral: Be Responsible else you too will learn your lesson!@@ Whoever said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results has obviously never had to reboot a computer.